Isn't It Ironic?

If someone were to ask me about my favorite band, I would have to say "U2," hands down - they're the best band in the history of music. While I adore Bono, the Edge, Adam and Larry, I think the musician who has had the greatest impact on my understanding of how women relate to men is Alanis Morisette. I know she's not really a great role model and songs like, "You Oughta Know," and "Right Through You" are not anthems to healthy relationships. I think that the fact that she became popular when I was first becoming interested in boys and my mom really didn't like her, had a lot to do with the fact that I claimed her as my own voice of angst and emotion. I used to sing "Head Over Feet" to my first boyfriend. When we broke up, all I wanted to listen to was "You Learn." It's fitting that "Ironic" is my current soundtrack.

I'm moving on Friday. Leaving Lawrence and not coming back for any extended period of time. It makes sense that I just met the man of my dreams.

When I first moved here in August 2004, one of my friends and mentors predicted that I would meet my husband here. I laughed it off and forgot it about. At the time I was pretty convinced that I had already met my husband, he just lived 1000 miles away and didn't quite realize that he was in love with me. I was still convinced of that until about a week ago. Now, I'm really hoping she was right.

I met this guy at my regular coffee shop. When I walked in the door, I overheard him talking about the city where I went to college. After ordering my latte, I sat down at a table next to his and tried to look consumed with my book while eavesdropping. He wasn't saying very flattering things about my city or my alma matter, so I looked over and indignantly asked if he was from there.

"I lived there for a few months. Why? Am I trashing your town?"

"Yeah, you are," I replied shyly, realizing how rude I had been.

It turns out we have a lot in common. He's spent some time in Latin America, he enjoys talking about politics, he's in law school, he's really good looking, smart and funny. He likes to camp and hike. It's really perfect. He's pretty much everything I could want. Most importantly he's a Christian.

He came to my graduation party two weeks ago. We chatted for a little while. He was one of the last to leave.

Last week I went out with a group to celebrate a friend's 8th anniversary in the US. I knew he would be there. We only talked for a few minutes but that's when I realized how much I really like him. I had been joking with my roommates about how I wanted to date him. Joke's on me though, 'cause I really want him.

And now he's helping me move tomorrow. Isn't it ironic?

Boxes and Packing Tape

I'm moving out on Friday. Leaving Kansas for good. I'm not really sad. Like Gillian Welch, I've been in the lowlands too long. Lawrence is a really cool little town. I have some great friends here, a church that I like, a nice house, but it's just time to go. I moved here knowing that I would only stay as long as it would take to finish my MA. Now that I'm done, it's time to go. I wish I could say I was feeling sad and nostalgic, but really, I'm just feeling relieved.

It's a really nice feeling to get rid of clothes, pictures, papers, and other stuff that I just don't want any more. I want to pack as little as possible. For as long as I can remember, I've been a pack-rat. Seriously, I keep everything. Now, I think I'm just so excited about a new start and moving on to whatever's next that I feel the freedom to throw things away. I don't want any extra baggage. God only knows where I'll be next, I don't want any hinderances. If I'm going to be moving to a third-world country, I won't need every birthday card I've ever received.

I just cleaned out my closet. I think I have 1 week's worth of clothes now. And I'm totally thrilled about that. I'm going to be in training all summer so I won't need any civilian clothes or shoes. And when I get done it'll be fall, I hope to have a job and new place and money to buy a few new things.

It's cathartic to get rid of all my old stuff. I think I'm finally ready to leave college life and venture into the 'real world.' So I'm putting some stuff in frozen food and booze boxes, wrapping some tape around them and packing up this part of my life. Time for the next chapter.